I recently acquired a copy of a C.S. Lewis book I had never heard of: The Pilgrim's Regress. It is an allegorical cousin of Bunyan's classic, and I found it very interesting indeed. As I read it cultivated in me a fresh appreciation of the literary skill and depth of thought of Lewis, and made me in turn wonder if my limited faculties have the capacity me to grasp all that he intended. The book is honest and true. In the preface on page 19 he writes concerning the suggestion of supplying a "key" to the allegory: "It may encourage people to suppose that allegory is a disguise, a way of saying obscurely what could have been said more clearly. But in fact all good allegory exists not to hide but to reveal; to make the inner world more palpable by giving it an (imagined) concrete embodiment." This he does immaculately, and Lewis has few rivals.
I do not think it right to compare The Pilgrim's Progress to this work, and I don't believe C.S. Lewis wrote it for that purpose. But it would be a worthy appendix because it puts in a different light the path of the genuine seeker of God and His eternal kingdom. The pilgrim in Lewis' book, John, may take a path more often traveled than Bunyan's Christian. Instead of a scrip in hand and a road stretching before him, John is without any direction. He is confused with hypocrisy in the church and at a loss to know what he should believe. The idea of God and hell bothers him, and the chance that God does not exist and therefore the lack of accountability is a great delight which quickly erodes into lust, loss, and pain. His wandering leads him into all sorts of error. He is confounded on every side, seeking as a phantom the Island he so desires. Every philosophy and humanistic mode of belief proves empty and unsatisfying. Though very prejudiced against Christianity at first, Wisdom, History, and Reason compel him to submit. His view of everything is changed as he heads for home. As he arrives at end of his journey, he realises he is right back where he started: God was there all along.
It is a great irony that God gave men minds so He might reason with us, yet humans can be most unreasonable. The very thing God provides is what Satan labours to prejudice against Him. Of all creation, what is a more deluded and insensible creature than man? Lewis quotes Bacon at the beginning of book four: "Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men's minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like: but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things: full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves?" The world's philosophies are all from the same corrupt source, while the wisdom which comes from God alone revealed in His Word is eternal and without flaw. Those with a prodigious ability to reason have a great scope of temptation to entertain vain philosophies which oppose scriptural truth and lead to eternal ruin.
Christianity is logical and reasonable. A scientist will carefully cite his sources for his claims, and is not considered foolish for doing so. It is actually proof he has studied. He must exercise faith, trusting the data of previous studies. Philosophers follow the rivers of thought which have been discovered and discussed since the very beginning. Christians are not ignorant for choosing to follow Christ and believe the scripture, even as men sought the wisdom of Plato and Aristotle. Darwin never claimed to be God - but Jesus did. His claim of divinity and resurrection is what sets His claims apart from all other men. The fact that He has confirmed them only adds to His credibility! Christianity to you may appear like Mother Kirk did to John: an old, plain woman. For all of John's searching, he limited his search by his prejudices. He would not consider taking Mother Kirk's hand unless he had no other choice. Have you considered that the old woman may be right? Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
05 September 2012
03 September 2012
When Walking Hurts
Yesterday morning God prompted me to go on an early morning walk. I woke up with expectancy, believing God would teach me something. It was chilly and dark as I set out around 5:30am. Every time I stepped on my right foot, I winced because of sharp pain. The day before I had strained or sprained part of my foot, perhaps while lifting weights. It made walking very difficult without a pronounced hobble. But I gritted my teeth and kept on, thinking the foot simply needed to be stretched out. The pain was still there. It grew to the point of being almost unbearable. "I don't know that I can do this," I said to God. Because walking hurt, I didn't feel like doing it. I could only maintain a decent pace with great effort.
It was in this moment that it dawned on me. Following Jesus isn't easy. In fact, the Christian walk can sometimes be downright painful. In the painful moments we face the temptation to quit. We are not to tempted necessarily to quit believing in Christ, but to abandon tasks which seem to stretch before us for miles. I found that when I focused on the pain, it felt worse and worse. But when I thought about why I was walking - because God told me to - I was able to slowly walk through the pain. When Jesus is our pursuit and passion, even the hurts of this life won't prevent us from pressing on with Him. He won't leave or forsake me, and I've decided never to quit on Him.
My walk didn't last very long, maybe 10 minutes. But in that time I learned something I hope to remember for the rest of my life. The pain people experience takes many forms, and pain can be a big distraction that takes our focus from God and places it on ourselves. Let us be moved with compassion for those who are in pain. In a spiritual or emotional sense they are hobbling on, or perhaps even collapsed by the footpath in tears. In their pursuit of Christ their pain has knocked them off their feet and they are confused and feel forsaken. We do not lose valuable time in our race to lift them up with our hands, lend a shoulder for support, or offer a kind word of encouragement. Let us not pass by those who are struggling for life, looking upon them with disdain as the Pharisee and Levite did in Christ's story of the Good Samaritan. Do not be repulsed by what you perceive as weakness. If we are strong then our weakness remains. God's grace is sufficient for us: when we are weak we are strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). When we bear one another's burdens we fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
Are you in pain? Keep on following Jesus. Even as a good shepherd will notice when his prize sheep walks with a limp and will investigate for the purpose of treatment and restoration, so Christ does for us. May we do so for one another, following the example of our loving Saviour! Christ makes the blind to see and the lame to walk, leap, and praise Him!
It was in this moment that it dawned on me. Following Jesus isn't easy. In fact, the Christian walk can sometimes be downright painful. In the painful moments we face the temptation to quit. We are not to tempted necessarily to quit believing in Christ, but to abandon tasks which seem to stretch before us for miles. I found that when I focused on the pain, it felt worse and worse. But when I thought about why I was walking - because God told me to - I was able to slowly walk through the pain. When Jesus is our pursuit and passion, even the hurts of this life won't prevent us from pressing on with Him. He won't leave or forsake me, and I've decided never to quit on Him.
My walk didn't last very long, maybe 10 minutes. But in that time I learned something I hope to remember for the rest of my life. The pain people experience takes many forms, and pain can be a big distraction that takes our focus from God and places it on ourselves. Let us be moved with compassion for those who are in pain. In a spiritual or emotional sense they are hobbling on, or perhaps even collapsed by the footpath in tears. In their pursuit of Christ their pain has knocked them off their feet and they are confused and feel forsaken. We do not lose valuable time in our race to lift them up with our hands, lend a shoulder for support, or offer a kind word of encouragement. Let us not pass by those who are struggling for life, looking upon them with disdain as the Pharisee and Levite did in Christ's story of the Good Samaritan. Do not be repulsed by what you perceive as weakness. If we are strong then our weakness remains. God's grace is sufficient for us: when we are weak we are strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). When we bear one another's burdens we fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
Are you in pain? Keep on following Jesus. Even as a good shepherd will notice when his prize sheep walks with a limp and will investigate for the purpose of treatment and restoration, so Christ does for us. May we do so for one another, following the example of our loving Saviour! Christ makes the blind to see and the lame to walk, leap, and praise Him!
02 September 2012
A Clean Heart
Ever since custodial duties were part of my job, my eyes are drawn to things many don't notice. I would find myself wiping down sinks, mirrors, and toilets without even thinking. Having a background in construction only adds to my unique observations. I suppose even how Jason Bourne in the "Bourne" films was able to instantly observe intricate details of people in the room, places to hide a gun, and exit routes, I walk into a room and I'm quickly looking at carpet, the condition of the wax, the brush marks in the casing paint, and that a few florescent tubes are dead. Instead of thinking about how to kill people or survive, I am constantly thinking about how things can be cleaned, fixed, or improved. It's far safer and a much more wholesome lifestyle than being an assassin!
Cleaning tile or carpet is kind of like a new haircut: only a few people will notice it without prompting. And when they do, it will be two or three weeks after the fact! With the help of a friend I recently stripped and waxed the tile floor at church. Since I had seen the project all the way through, I was well aware of the total transformation which had taken place. Supplies were purchased, stuff moved out of the way, and a machine was secured. Over many hours the floor was stripped and carefully cleaned. After everything was totally dry many coats of wax were applied to the surface, resulting in a beautiful finish. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face when people walk all over the floor without even noticing it. But when the "different" floor is brought to someone's attention, their eyes light up with amazement. The floor is such a static fixture that even a large change in appearance can easily escape notice.
We have two white cars which have been in desperate need for a wash. After Zed's indoor soccer game on Saturday, the boys and I washed our two family cars. Being white in colour, it is amazing how well dirt can be hidden in plain view. It was not until I began washing the car that I realised how dirty the cars really were! We rubbed off the grime, cleaned the rims, rinsed off the car, and dried the water spots. Our labour was richly rewarded with a sparkling result. I wiped down the interior and was pleased with the result. I don't know about you, but it actually feels great driving a clean car. It is almost like sliding into a well-made bed when the crisp and fresh sheets are still taut, without a single wrinkle. I asked Laura after she drove her car, "So, what was it like - driving a clean car?" "I really didn't even notice," she said. I thought to myself, how could you not notice the difference?
I think the cleaning of floors and cars are similar to the cleansing of our hearts in many respects. First, cleaning is often neglected. Even those who are mindful of the condition of their carpets, tiles, and cars are aware that cleaning is often overdue. Another similarity is that we often don't realise how dirty, grimy, and gross they are until we have done a thorough clean. Only after the clean can we with great appreciation step back and say, "Wow! That was so dirty! I'm so glad I took the time to do that!" Because cleaning is a job never done, we can grow weary of doing it over and over again. But there is great reward in faithful maintenance: it is hygienic, prolongs the life of the paint and finish, shows discipline, responsibility, and good stewardship. We Christians live in a polluted, dirty world. Filthy thoughts and ideas, foul language, and the folly of the flesh cakes onto our souls. When we have unnoticed or unconfessed sin in our hearts, it can cut us off from the presence of God. We may not even notice the burden of sin under which we labour until we confess it before the LORD and repent. Once that weight is lifted from our hearts we say, "Wow, it feels good to be clean and free! I had no idea I was even in bondage!"
1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Let's not neglect the cleaning of our hearts because it's been awhile since we did it last. If we stay on top of cleaning, the job is easier to do. If we keep careful watch over our hearts and minds by putting off the old man, being renewed in the spirit of our minds through God's Word, and putting on the new man, we will experience the victory Jesus has given freely to His disciples by grace through faith. A man can clean up his deeds but cannot cleanse his heart. Only God has the power to wash us in the blood of Christ and the water of the Word. Only then can we be clean! And what a difference!
Cleaning tile or carpet is kind of like a new haircut: only a few people will notice it without prompting. And when they do, it will be two or three weeks after the fact! With the help of a friend I recently stripped and waxed the tile floor at church. Since I had seen the project all the way through, I was well aware of the total transformation which had taken place. Supplies were purchased, stuff moved out of the way, and a machine was secured. Over many hours the floor was stripped and carefully cleaned. After everything was totally dry many coats of wax were applied to the surface, resulting in a beautiful finish. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face when people walk all over the floor without even noticing it. But when the "different" floor is brought to someone's attention, their eyes light up with amazement. The floor is such a static fixture that even a large change in appearance can easily escape notice.
We have two white cars which have been in desperate need for a wash. After Zed's indoor soccer game on Saturday, the boys and I washed our two family cars. Being white in colour, it is amazing how well dirt can be hidden in plain view. It was not until I began washing the car that I realised how dirty the cars really were! We rubbed off the grime, cleaned the rims, rinsed off the car, and dried the water spots. Our labour was richly rewarded with a sparkling result. I wiped down the interior and was pleased with the result. I don't know about you, but it actually feels great driving a clean car. It is almost like sliding into a well-made bed when the crisp and fresh sheets are still taut, without a single wrinkle. I asked Laura after she drove her car, "So, what was it like - driving a clean car?" "I really didn't even notice," she said. I thought to myself, how could you not notice the difference?
I think the cleaning of floors and cars are similar to the cleansing of our hearts in many respects. First, cleaning is often neglected. Even those who are mindful of the condition of their carpets, tiles, and cars are aware that cleaning is often overdue. Another similarity is that we often don't realise how dirty, grimy, and gross they are until we have done a thorough clean. Only after the clean can we with great appreciation step back and say, "Wow! That was so dirty! I'm so glad I took the time to do that!" Because cleaning is a job never done, we can grow weary of doing it over and over again. But there is great reward in faithful maintenance: it is hygienic, prolongs the life of the paint and finish, shows discipline, responsibility, and good stewardship. We Christians live in a polluted, dirty world. Filthy thoughts and ideas, foul language, and the folly of the flesh cakes onto our souls. When we have unnoticed or unconfessed sin in our hearts, it can cut us off from the presence of God. We may not even notice the burden of sin under which we labour until we confess it before the LORD and repent. Once that weight is lifted from our hearts we say, "Wow, it feels good to be clean and free! I had no idea I was even in bondage!"
1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Let's not neglect the cleaning of our hearts because it's been awhile since we did it last. If we stay on top of cleaning, the job is easier to do. If we keep careful watch over our hearts and minds by putting off the old man, being renewed in the spirit of our minds through God's Word, and putting on the new man, we will experience the victory Jesus has given freely to His disciples by grace through faith. A man can clean up his deeds but cannot cleanse his heart. Only God has the power to wash us in the blood of Christ and the water of the Word. Only then can we be clean! And what a difference!
30 August 2012
Hint or Question?
From a young age, I remember my dad putting into practice the truth of scripture: "Ask and ye shall receive." While some parents are content to ask leading questions of their children, it was clear that if I wanted something I would need to ask for it. More and more these days I notice people don't actually ask for things: they will hint or resort to manipulative tactics to achieve their ends. For instance, let's say you see a child struggling to open the lid of a container. He grunts and groans, making his frustration known. His mum notices the struggles of her son and says, "Do you want me to open that for you?" The child nods and brings it to his mum to open. This is an unscriptural way to deal with this issue. If a child wants help, he must be required humble himself to ask for it. God requires no less of His children. Before long this can become a deeply entrenched habit the boy or parent won't even recognise which can affect not only his relationship with men, but his approach to God.
Here is another perfect illustration of this hinting in the movie "Napoleon Dynamite." Kip gets his wish, though he never asks a question. He simply makes a statement. But like most of us, Napoleon took the hint and responds to a statement as if he was asked.
James writes of common problems of people in James 4:2-3: "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask it is often with selfish motivation. Like that child struggling with the lid, we might suppose we have actually asked God to help us when all we have done is grunt and groan in frustration. We vent our anger to God, we lay out our frustrations, but we never actually ask Him to do anything. And when we do ask Him to intervene, we do so not led by the Holy Spirit, but according to our selfish dictates. Even worse, we choose to complain or consult with people rather than taking our issues to God at all. It's not until we are on a severe downward spiral before we even think to speak to God in prayer.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." God does not exist to supply our lack, but it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom! He is a gracious provider, a generous giver, and hears the prayers of the humble. We are evil and know how to give good gifts: how much more is the Father able and willing to give to Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? It a is wonderful consolation that God does many things for our benefit without us asking. His will is not restricted by our poor pseudo-questions. But when we desire something, we ought to ask. Instead of resorting to manipulation or hinting, let us humble ourselves before both God and man to ask direct questions. In answering a question, let our words be obedient to what Jesus commands in Matthew 5:37: "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." May our requests of God be actual questions! Only after we ask will the answer come.
Here is another perfect illustration of this hinting in the movie "Napoleon Dynamite." Kip gets his wish, though he never asks a question. He simply makes a statement. But like most of us, Napoleon took the hint and responds to a statement as if he was asked.
James writes of common problems of people in James 4:2-3: "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask it is often with selfish motivation. Like that child struggling with the lid, we might suppose we have actually asked God to help us when all we have done is grunt and groan in frustration. We vent our anger to God, we lay out our frustrations, but we never actually ask Him to do anything. And when we do ask Him to intervene, we do so not led by the Holy Spirit, but according to our selfish dictates. Even worse, we choose to complain or consult with people rather than taking our issues to God at all. It's not until we are on a severe downward spiral before we even think to speak to God in prayer.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." God does not exist to supply our lack, but it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom! He is a gracious provider, a generous giver, and hears the prayers of the humble. We are evil and know how to give good gifts: how much more is the Father able and willing to give to Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? It a is wonderful consolation that God does many things for our benefit without us asking. His will is not restricted by our poor pseudo-questions. But when we desire something, we ought to ask. Instead of resorting to manipulation or hinting, let us humble ourselves before both God and man to ask direct questions. In answering a question, let our words be obedient to what Jesus commands in Matthew 5:37: "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." May our requests of God be actual questions! Only after we ask will the answer come.
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